THE government has disclosed seven priority infrastructure projects for implementation under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme and the public-private partnership (PPP).

National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) officer-in-charge Augusto Santos said these projects along with power sector projects would spur partnerships between the private sector and the government.

“These projects offer reasonable rates of returns for the investor, feature no major issues that would hinder their implementation and most importantly, provide high socioeconomic impact,” Santos said in his presentation at Wednesday’s Mid-year Economic briefing.

The seven projects are the Panguil Bay Bridge Project, the LRTA Line 1 Extension, Tarlac-La Union Toll Expressway-Phase 1, the 300 MLD MWSS Bulk Water Supply Project, the 50 MLD Wawa River Project, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway project (SCTEP), and the Ambuklao-Binga Hydroelectric Power Complex.

The P2.8 billion worth Panguil Bay project is estimated to have a financial rate of return of 12.48 percent.

The project involves the construction of a 260-meter main bridge with 2,100 meter approach viaducts designed to link Central Mindanao with Northern Mindanao.

The P6.3 billion-worth LRTA Line 1 North Extension Project will close the MRT-LRT loop by extending Line 1, which ends in Monumento station, to the North Avenue Station of MRT 3.

The project involves the construction and detailed design of a 5.71-kilometer elevated line with two new intermediate stations, Roosevelt and Balintawak, and a terminal station, the LRT1 North Ave. station.

The project will be implemented for a period of two years. Construction will begin in 2008 and will be completed by April 2010.

Meanwhile, the P16.88 billion-worth Tarlac-La Union Expressway will cover the construction of the 84.5-km, two-lane asphalt concrete pavement toll facility in Regions I, III, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

It will decongest MacArthur Highway by constructing 28 bridges, seven interchanges, 15 overpasses, 24 farm crossings, nine toll plazas and appurtenant structures as well as the installation of toll collection equipment and facilities.

The P5.2-billion MWSS Bulk Water project is estimated to have a financial rate of return of 15.27 percent. It will be constructed in the southern part of Metro Manila.

The P1.95-billion Wawa River Project, meanwhile, is estimated to have a financial rate of return of 16.52 percent.

It is estimated to provide water to about 150,000 people in San Mateo, Rodriguez, and ERAP City in Rizal province.

The SCTEP project Package 1 and 2, with a total cost of P32.81 billion, are expected to be finished by March 2008 and November 2007, respectively.

The project calls for the operation and maintenance of the 93.77-km, four-lane asphalt concrete paved toll facility. It will connect major development areas in Central Luzon.

The last project is the Ambuklao-Binga power complex which consists of the 75-MW Ambuklao plant in Bokod, Benguet and the 100-MW Binga plant in Otogon, Benguet.

The project is currently being privatized on an “as is where is” basis. This is part of the privatization efforts of the National Power Corp. that is seen to boost competition in the power sector and provide consumers access to more reliable, safe and affordable electricity.

All the projects are also found under the country’s infrastructure blueprint, the Comprehensive Integrated Infrastructure Program.

THE government has disclosed seven priority infrastructure projects for implementation under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme and the public-private partnership (PPP).

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